Tikka T3 Lite questions

[Trevor2Toes]

I just bought a Tikka T3 stainless lite model in .223 and I'll have it in a few days. I was initially thinking of getting a heavy barreled .223, and I still might get one some day, but the idea of a lighter .223 for hunting purposes appeals to me also so I took the plunge. The reviews are pretty good unless it's from Chuck Hawks http://www.chuckhawks.com/critical_look_T3.htm

To anyone that has one of these what do you think of it? I'd like to hear some scope suggestions on a scope that'll match the weight and quality of the gun. I was thinking maybe in the magnification range of a 4.5-14x, 5-15x, 6-18x? Leupold? Bushnell Elite? I hear the factory mounts aren't the best either. Should I look at something else? Does the shorter barrel length of the T3 make much difference? Some day I might get a 26" heavy barreled .223 or maybe even a .204 or 22-250

 

[todbartell]

a Leupold VXII 4-12x40 with the LR duplex would be a good choice, and Id go with Talley lightweight rings, they're a nice setup

 

[Snow Dog]

Definitely go with the Talley Lightweights. As for a scope, a Bushnell Elite 3200, or better yet, the 4200 series is a good place to start.

 

[BIGREDD]

Great advice above from T/B on the scope... the shorter barrel won't amount to a hill of beans for most hunting circumstances. A heavy barrel is an advantage if your shooting hundreds of rounds in a session or if your into bench rest accuracy.
The T-3 lite is a very nice carry rifle for hunting applications and with a lite ring/scope combo as mentioned it will be awesome for varmints.

 

[beretta boy]

Have a Leupold VXII 6-18x40 LR on a 25-06 ...
very pleased with it !

 

[mylesrom]

Ignore Chuckhawks, I emailed him once and his response to me, he was an ass...

The T3 is an excellent rifle for the price, smoothest action of all my bolts and best feeding magazine, even with the WSM`s is feeds like a dream.

 

[cariboo_kid]

Tod is right, but if you choose a different scope I'd prefer the 4.5 - 14 model.

 

[K98]

I think the Tikka T3 Lite has a pretty fast rate of twist. 1 in 8?
http://www.berettausa.com/product/rifles/series_page.cfm?currentseries=26
Correct me if I'm wrong but it'd probably work the best with 50-70 grain bullets? I'm not sure how well the 45 grain Winchester JHP Walmart sells would work because it recommends a 1 in 9 or slower twist barrel on the box.

 

[K98]

Ok. Never mind. I have a Tikka T3 Lite in .223 with a 4-12x Leupold. I haven't even shot a gun since October so I must be very rusty! But today I took it out to line it up using the Winchester 45 GR. JHP factory ammo. Factory bullets and probably too light for optimum results, a gusty wind, standing up resting the gun off the roof of my car. After a rough job sighting in at 25 yards I moved the target to an honest 100 yards. My oldest son fired 3 shots (top circled). Next I fired 3 shots (bottom circled). As you can see by the results the gun must be capable of truly incredible accuracy! Next my son shot at a pop can twice 150 yards away, and hit it both times. We tried offhand shooting at a 325 g peanut can 95 yards away. My son fired once and hit it, and then I fired twice and got it both times! What fun! And when we first drove in to the sand pit a fox ran through it just over 100 yards away and stopped on top of a rocky mound. I had a real laugh over that. A new .223 with us just itching to try out and a fox exposing himself in plain sight.

 

[scott_r]

Id throw a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16 or a 4-12 and save the money you would have spent on a $1000 Leupold for a pair of binos, range finder....holiday whatever. Burris Signiture Zee rings would be my choice for rings.

 

[steve-r]

what base for the Talley lite weight rings?

not to hijack, but similarly for my .243 Tikka T3, what bases do you recommend for the Talley Lightweight rings? also Talley, or another?
thx

 

[Homesteader]

I second the zee rings from burris. As far as scopes go, what are you going to be shooting at? For fairly quick shooting I'm not a big fan of adjustable objectives, this would dictate 10X or less, a good 3 X 9 covers a pile of shooting at all .223 ranges.

Homesteader

 

[WCTHEMI]

I would second the 3X9X40 as a great range of magnifications for most, if not all, hunting type applications.

 

[jay161953]

I have the T3 Laminated Stainless .223 1 in 8 twist, Leupold Silver VXII 3x9x40, Weaver bases and Millett rings. The gun handles very well and can shoot .5in groups with Sierra 69gr MatchKings. Very pleased with this setup.

 

[the_big_mike]

the t3 is great!

 

[K98]

I have the T3 Laminated Stainless .223 1 in 8 twist, Leupold Silver VXII 3x9x40, Weaver bases and Millett rings. The gun handles very well and can shoot .5in groups with Sierra 69gr MatchKings. Very pleased with this setup.

What load are you using with this bullet? Thanks!

 

[shotgunjoe]

Damn good rifle choice,talley rings are good,if you cant afford a leopold before buying bushnell I would look at a weaver V16,awesome optics for the price.

 

[steve-r]

I emailed Burris the other day inquiring about Burris Signature Zee rings for my T3. they lowest height they offer is 'Medium' , and yet their mounting specs suggest 'Low' for anything up to 40mm objective lense on this rifle.
the regular Zee rings do come in Low.
Talley also recommends 'low' height rings on their website for the Tikka.
so would you use 'Med' height rings instead of 'Low' ? what's the tradeoff?

and what base is a good match for the Talley lightweights? suggestions?
thx

 

[uphere]

when i was buying my 223 i picked a ruger over the t3. i only did that because i didn't know what a tikka was. i like the ruger but i wish i had picked the tikka

 

[jay161953]

I am using 69gr Sierra MatchKings, 27gr Varget, Federal 205M primers, Winchester neck sized brass and an oal of 2.290in. There is some reloading info for the .223 with heavy bullets at
accuratereloading.com